Wheeled laundry receptacle



y 4, 1966 R. w. KLEMM 3,252,712

WHEELED LAUNDRY RECEPTACLE Filed April 15, 1964 Z Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Richard W K/emm a I f 2 z TTORNEYS y 4, 1966 R. w. KLEMM 3,252,712

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE LE United States Patent 3,252,712 WHEELED LAUNDRY RECEPTACLE Richard W. Klemm, 10419 Inwood Ave., Silver Spring, Md. Filed Apr. 15, 1964, Ser. No. 359,852 Claims. (Cl. 280-792) This invention relates to improvements in laundry receptacles, baskets or the like used in large dry cleaning and laundry establishments for transporting clothes from washing machines, dryers and the like. Particularly, this invention pertains to multipurpose receptacles.

In the dry cleaning and laundry business, there are many machines used having openings of various heights and widths. It is important that the receptacle which is positioned beneath the door of the laundry tub, dryer, or the like be as close as possible to the bottom edge of the door opening and to be at least as wide as the door opening. Speed in handling the clothes and the like is important and if the edge of the receptacle does not come up approximately to the bottom of the door of the machine, the clothes being taken from the machine and placed in the basket fall onto the floor and become soiled and must be redone. A basket or receptacle that is too high for the door makes it extremely diflicult for the operator to reach in and pull the articles from the machine. A basket that is too low can not contain a large amount of clothes and presents problems of soiling if the articles dont fall directly into the basket. It is obvious that Width of the basket is also important in order to prevent dropping of the articles onto the floor adjacent the receptacle. Because there has been no standardization of the heights of the doors on the various machines used in the industry, the large facilities for dry cleaning must provide various sizes of receptacles utilizable with each machine in order to eliminate the problems aforementioned. Though this provision of various sized receptacles is a costly one, there has until this invention been no available receptacle which would have a universal application to different types of machines in which the doors are at various levels. It is therefore obvious that the industry must expend a considerable amount of money each year maintaining and providing receptacles of various sizes for use with different type machines. It is also obvious that because of the numerous types of receptacles which must be used, that frequently an operator will select the wrong receptacle because of the variety which are on the premises. He must either make use of the receptacle which he has selected and be particularly careful with the unloading of the machine into the receptacle or must seek out the proper receptacle for the machine. Various methods of identifying the machines and their specific receptacles have been used such as tags, colors, and the like. Though identification does assist in expediting and handling the work, it is not the most favorable solution to the problem and does create confusion and lost time trying to locate a receptacle of the proper size. If none are readily available, the operator must still select a receptacle of a size not specifically made for the machine which he desires to unload.

It is an object of this invention to provide a laundry receptacle which is universally applicable to the various machines which are located in the dry cleaning and laundering establishments. Such universality eliminates the necessity of having different sizes and types of receptacles available.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a lightweight readily fabricated receptacle. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a receptacle which has maximum load capacity and yet allows for clearance between receptacles which are placed together on a single carrying frame whereby a bag which is placed within the ice receptacle may be folded over and maintained in position during the loading operation without interference with the next adjacent receptacle.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example various embodiments of this invention:

FIGURE 1 illustrates the receptacle as positioned against one type of washing machine or the like during the unloading operation.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the receptacle as positioned against another type of laundry machine or the like preparatory to unloading.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a further position of the receptacle when utilized in unloading a third type of machine.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view showing a plurality of receptacles supported on wheeled carriers in which the wheeled carriers are interconnected in a train-like fashion.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG- URE 4 but taken from the other side.

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

In the drawings as noted in FIGURES l, 2 and 3 the machines such as washers, dryers, and the like are designated by M, M and M.

The machines contain articles of apparel A or the like. In the receptacles genera-11y designated by R, the operator places a laundry bag B as illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 3.

The containers R are supported generally on a base 10 as in the case of FIGURES l, 2 and 3 or a base 10' as in the case of FIGURES 4, 5 and 6. The base 10 constitutes a frame support for holding a single receptacle R. Casters 12 mounted on the base frames 10 or 10' permit the operator to rapidly move the receptacles R from one area of the plant to another area.

Base frame 10 is elongated and designed to hold a plurality of receptacles. It is obvious that it may be structurally adapted to receive more than the two receptacles illustrated in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6.

The base frames are provided with a pin 14 at one end thereof for engagement with a latch member 16. Each of the frames are provided with the latch member 16 at the other end from the pin location. The latch member 16 is pivotally mounted on a pintel 18. A stop member 20 is provided adjacent the pintel 18 so that the latch 16 may be swung out of engagement with the pin 14 to rest on the stop 20. This prevents the latch from projecting outwardly from the frame 10 or 10 thus permitting unobstructed movement of the operator about the frame 10 or it) supporting the receptacles R. In order to insure proper connection the pins 14, latches 16, pintels 18, and stops 20 are provided on both sides of the frame 10 as illustrated generally in FIGURE 6. The latching mechanism just described is utilized to connect frames together to form a train arrangement as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5.

It is obvious that the frame 10 and 10 may be an integral part of the receptacle R or may be as illustrated in FIGURE 6, designed to actually receive the receptacle R so that if necessary the receptacle R can be removed from the frame whenever it becomes damaged without the necessity of having to replace the frame 10 or 10'. The frame lll may be constructed of angle irons or any tray type of arrangement.

The receptacle R as illustrated in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 comprises a forward wall 30, a rear wall 40, and side Walls 50 and 60. The forward and rear walls 30 and 40 are constructed of flat sheet material such as metal, fiberboard or the like. The bottom of the wall 30 is somewhat Wider than the top. The wall is generally rectangular in configuration having an edge portion 32 offset back from the edge portion 34. The two edge portions 32 and 34 are interconnected by an edge portion 36. This arrangement allows that the top edge 38 is narrower than the bottom edge 39 as best illustrated in FIGURE 5. The rear wall 40 is generally similar in construction to the forward wall but is of a greater height as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. Rear wall has an edge portion 42 offset from edge portion 44. The edge portions 42 and 44 are interconnected by an edge portion 46. The top edge 48 is narrower than the lower edge portion 49. The top edges 38 and 43 as well as the bottom edges 39 and 49 are parallel and horizontally arranged. The side edges 32 and 34 and 42 and 44 are parallel respectively with each other and vertically arranged. Edges 36 and 46 are parallel and diagonally arranged.

Side walls 50 and are similar and complements of each other. Side wall 50 as illustrated in FIGURE 6 comprises an upper surface 52, an intermediate surface 54, and a lower surface 56. The upper surface 52 and the intermediate surface 54 define parallelograms. The lower surface 56 defines a trapezoid. Surfaces 52 and 56 are parallel planar surfaces and are interconnected by diagonal surface 54.

Since the side edges 58 of the end walls 50 and 69 are perpendicular to the horizontal, the top edges 59 and 69 are parallel but diagonally slanted from the rear edge 48 to the forward edge 38 of the walls 40 and 30 respectively.

Since walls 50 and 60 are complementary, the diagonal surfaces 54 and 64 slope outwardly to coincide with the edges 36 and 46 of the walls 30 and 40 respectively.

Walls 30, 40, 50 and 60 may be spot welded, riveted, or otherwise secured together to form the receptacle R. The specific arrangement of the walls 30, 40, 50 and 60 forms a somewhat jug-shaped receptacle. This allows for larger loads and a more stable receptacle for the articles carried therein since the center of gravity is lowered because of the necking of the walls 30 and 40 and the stepping of the walls 50 and 60.

Operation In the operation of the receptacle R, a bag B is placed therein and the edges of the bag overlap the edges of the receptacle R. Handles of the bag B lie on the outside of the receptacle R. When two or more receptacles are placed together in a frame such as 10, the handles and the overlapped portion of the bag lie in the recess formed by the necked out portions of the walls 30 and 40 and the stepped arrangement of the walls 50 and 60. The recessed area permits the operator to readily insert his hand into the recess so that he may fold the bags over the edges and also readily grasp the loops or handles 70 of the bags B. This arrangement enables the operator to work swiftly and with a minimum amount of inconvenience.

When the operator has to remove the articles A from the machine M, the wall 40 is brought up and into engagement with the bottom edge of the opening in the machine M. The operator can then stand to one side of the receptacle and reach in and rapidly remove the articles and deliver them into the bag B which has already been positioned in the receptacle R. If the articles in the machine M are not sufiicient to fill the bag in the receptacle R, the operator can then proceed to the machine M. Since the opening in the machine M has its bottom edge lower than the bottom edge of the machine M, the operator can merely reverse the receptacle and place the wall 30 against the bottom edge of the opening 90. This arrangement is illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. It is readily observable that the operator can readily remove the articles A from the machine M and M' directly into the receptacle R with a minimum of inconvenience and without the problem of having the articles fall to the floor thereby becoming soiled.

In FIGURE 3, the receptacle R is shown positioned lengthwise of the doors of the machine M". With the various machines, the width of the opening varies considerably. It is primarily desirable that the edge of the receptacle be positioned directly in line with the edge of the opening in the machine. Because of the variety of openings, the front and rear walls of the receptacle may not necessarily always correspond to the width of the opening and it may be somewhat smaller. In the case where the opening 100 is wider than the front Wall 30 and the rear wall 40, spilling of the articles A onto the floor occurs. In this instance, it is preferred that the receptacle be set sideways of the machine M" so that the side of the receptacle R covers as much as possible of the width of the opening as illustrated in FIGURE 3. It is also important that at least a portion of the width of the opening be coincident with the top edge of the receptacle. The operator can then immediately withdraw the articles A from the machine M for immediate deposit into the receptacle though one portion of the edge may be above the opening and the other portion be below the opening. The utilization of the sides of the receptacle R as in FIGURE 3 allows the receptacle to be utilized on openings of machines which lie in height between the height of opening 80 in machine M and the height of opening 90 in machine M. It will now be obvious that the receptacle R may be universally utilized for all types of machines in a plant whether the opening be high or low or inbetween as indicated.

While the invention has been described, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. A laundry cart comprising:

(a) an open topped receptacle,

(b) said receptacle including two parallel end walls and two parallel side walls,

(c) one of said end walls being substantially higher than the other of said end walls,

((1) the top edges of said end walls being parallel and each lying in a separate horizontal plane,

(e) the bottom edges of said end walls lying in the same horizontal plane,

(f) said side walls having a top edge sloping from the top edge of said one of said end walls to the other of said end walls,

(g) the top edges of said side walls being parallel and lying in a diagonal plane,

(h) said end walls being relieved on both sides at the upper portion thereof,

(i) said side walls comprising interconnected surfaces conforming to said relieved areas,

(j) the cross-sectional area of the bottom of said receptacle being greater than the cross-sectional area of the top of said receptacle, whereby said cart is adaptable to receive laundry from a series of machines having variable door heights and widths.

2. A laundry cart as in claim 1 and wherein:

(a) said side walls comprise three planar fiat interconnected surfaces; namely said upper, intermediate, and bottom surfaces,

(b) said upper and bottom surfaces being parallel, and

(c) said intermediate surface connecting diagonally said upper and bottom surfaces.

3. A laundry cart as in claim 1 and including:

(a) a base frame support,

(b) wheels on said base frame support,

(c) a plurality of said receptacles in side by side relation mounted on said frame support,

5 6 (d) said receptacles having their like end Walls aligned 659,373 10/ 1900 Low 2201 With the longitudinal axis of said base frame support. 1,093,033 4/ 1914 Canby. 4. A laundry cart as in claim 3 and including: 1,791,097 2/ 1931 Ietel 280-792 X (a) means for interconnecting a series of said carts. 2,037,291 4/ 1936 Waldmann 280-79.2 X 5. A laundry cart as in claim 1 and including: 5 2,812,871 11/1957 Woodall 214356 (a) a plurality of said receptacles in side by side 3,031,207 4/ 1962 Bard 280-792 X relation,

(b) bags in said receptacles. FOREIGN PATENTS 9,652 12/ 1900 Norway. References Cited by the Examiner 10 A HARRY LE Y P E UNITED STATES PATENTS V xammer' 533,699 2/1895 Bidwell 280--79.2X KENNETH H'BETTsExamme" 

1. A LAUNDRY CART COMPRISING: (A) AN OPEN TOPPED RECEPTACLE, (B) SAID RECEPTACLE INCLUDING TWO PARALLEL END WALLS AND TWO PARALLEL SIDE WALLS, (C) ONE OF SAID END WALLS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN THE OTHER OF SAID END WALLS, (D) THE TOP EDGES OF SAID WALLS BEING PARALLEL AND EACH LYING IN A SEPARATE HORIZONTAL PLANE, (E) THE BOTTOM EDGES OF SAID END WALLS LYING IN THE SAME HORIZONTAL PLANE, (F) SAID SIDE WALLS HAVING A TOP EDGE SLOPING FROM THE TOP EDGE OF SAID ONE OF SAID END WALLS TO THE OTHER OF SAID END WALLS, (G) THE TOP EDGES OF SAID SIDE WALLS BEING PARALLEL AND LYING IN A DIAGONAL PLANE, (H) SAID END WALL BEING RELIEVED ON BOTH SIDES AT THE UPPER PORTION THEREOF, (I) SAID SIDE WALLS COMPRISING INTERCONNECTED SURFACES CONFROMING TO SAID RELIEVED AREAS, (J) THE CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF THE BOTTOM OF SAID RECEPTACLE BEING GREATER THAN THE CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF THE TOP OF SAID RECEPTACLE, WHEREBY SAID CART IS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE LAUNDRY FROM A SERIES OF MACHINES HAVING VARIABLE DOOR HEIGHTS AND WIDTHS. 